„Jak po egipskich piaskach piramidy, po obszernych stepach usadzone mogiły”. Adama Naruszewicza starożytnicze obserwacje z podróży przez ziemie ukrainne w roku 1787

Adam Naruszewicz (1733–1796) is considered the father of critical historiography in Poland. His most important work in this respect was the multi-volume History of the Polish Nation, the first volume of which, dealing with the prehistoric era, was published after the author’s death (1824). It is of interest to scholars of the history of archaeology in Poland, who also point to some other works of Naruszewicz where archaeological themes appear. However, until now, no attention has been paid in this respect to the Diary of the journey of king Stanislaus Augustus to Ukraine and other Crown lands in 1787, which contains an extensive passage devoted to barrows preserved in the Ukrainian steppes. It attempts to explain their origins or their connection to specific historical circumstances by referring to the testimony of ancient authors (including those from the Byzantine world). The author of the Diary of the journey of king Stanislaus Augustus… is not unaware that some of the impressive graves scattered across the steppe may be of later origin (from the Middle Ages or even modern times) and may be the result of long-lasting battles in these lands. In his description, Adam Naruszewicz also refers to local tradition, including folk accounts, which provides material of interest not only to the archaeologist or historian but also to the ethnographer. As part of the following article, the 1787 account has been selectively commented on – in the hope that it will not be overlooked when attempting to cover in more detail the origins of archaeological interest in domestic writing in the future.